Boxing

DILLIAN WHYTE launched a scathing attack on Anthony Joshua before the 33-year-old’s heavyweight bout against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday.Joshua earned a unanimous points victory over Franklin after the fight went the distance.
Joshua earned a unanimous points victory over Franklin on SaturdayCredit: Alamy
Whyte has criticised AJ for fighting his ‘leftovers’Credit: Getty
But before the main event at London’s O2 Arena had even begun, Whyte – who was in attendance with DAZN – landed a verbal blow on his rival by suggesting that he insisted on fighting “leftovers”.
When speaking to iFL TV ahead of the fight, Whyte said: “These c**** don’t want to fight me. Wilder, Joshua… Joshua’s a c***.
“He wants to fight my leftovers and then talks s**t.
“The hardest person to beat is the undefeated heavyweight. He’s been beaten already, his mind is broke.”
Read More on Boxing
Whyte fought Joshua for the British heavyweight title in December 2015 and suffered a defeat by technical knockout in the seventh round.
The rivals have not faced each other since, but ‘the Villain’ has refused to shy away from another potential challenge.
When asked if he would consider fighting AJ again, Whyte explained: “I want to fight. I’m not going to wait for Joshua. Joshua’s unpredictable – imagine Franklin knocks him out today?
“It’s a s**t fight but who knows?”
Most read in Boxing
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
He then continued his X-rated rant, adding: “They were looking for a victim for Joshua to look good against. He (Joshua) should’ve fought me. That’s a fight that people would want to see, not Franklin.
“Why does he need a warm-up to fight me?
“There’s a lot of cowards in this game. I’m here to fight, I want to fight. I don’t give a f**k about losses, wins, draws – I just want to fight and give the fans entertainment and good fights.
“These guys are killing boxing, they keep dodging.”
Despite his win over Franklin, Joshua admitted that he was underwhelmed with the outcome.
He told talkSPORT: “Yeah, I’m a bit disappointed.
“I’m disappointed because it wasn’t a knockout. Fans are bored of 12 rounders.”
And Whyte continued to rub salt into the wound by suggesting that AJ should quit boxing altogether.
Read More on The Sun
He told the BBC: “Joshua has lost all his aggression and killer instincts.
“If he doesn’t want to do it any more, I think he should stop.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA cannot wait for his next big fight after beating Jermaine Franklin on points.The Brit admitted he was not at his best against the American but he was rarely troubled as he secured victory via unanimous decision.
Anthony Joshua is eyeing his next big fight after beating Jermaine FranklinCredit: Getty
Now AJ is eyeing his next big fight after calling out Tyson Fury in the ring after his win.
The pair have constantly been tipped to face off but after previous talks broke down Joshua may have to look elsewhere.
The former world champion wants his next bout to be in the summer, and there are several potential opponents to choose from.
Here SunSport takes a look at the five fighters Joshua could face as he looks to recover his former glory.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Tyson Fury
Fury poses the most difficult test out of Joshua’s next potential opponentsCredit: AFP
For a while last year it appeared that Fury v Joshua – billed as the biggest British clash of all time – was on. But things fell apart rapidly.
The situation could look different in 2023 however, especially after the Gypsy King’s negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk fell apart in equally explosive fashion.
For Joshua the fight would be a chance to regain his seat at the top of the heavyweight table and take the WBC belt.
While Fury has an opportunity to bring down the only current domestic boxer who can rival him in fame and prestige.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
If it were to finally happen, the pre-fight hype will draw in viewers beyond traditional fight fans and make global sporting headlines.
Joshua is keen to agree a deal and give the fans what they want, while also getting a shot at the WBC title.
He said after beating Franklin: “I try and provide for the fans, I know who the fans want – who do the fans want? They said Fury, yeah? The ball is in his court.
“I would be 100 per cent honoured to compete for the WBC Championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, that would be an honour.
“Wherever you are, if you are listening, you know my management, you know my promoter, we’ve had dialogue before so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this done sooner rather than later. We aren’t getting any younger.
“I can’t wait to get back to Texas, develop and push on because there’s a bigger fight, you know how one fight leads onto another, I can’t wait to get the next big fight.”
Dillian Whyte
Dillian Whyte will be out for revenge if he and Joshua crossed paths in the ring againCredit: PA
If the fight with Fury cannot be made, another all-British clash with Dillian Whyte could still present a good opportunity for AJ.
The pair share an intriguing history with the Body Snatcher beating Joshua on points in an amateur bout back in 2009.
But the former WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion would have his revenge with a vicious uppercut knockout when they met professionally in 2015.
This one could be on the cards for the summer as Whyte looks to build on last November’s controversial win over Jermaine Franklin.
And while Joshua will go into the fight as favourite, victory is far from certain in what should be another entertaining heavyweight clash.
However Whyte claimed it might be best for Joshua to call it quits after watching him in action last night.
He told BBC 5 Live: “Joshua has lost all his aggression and killer instincts.
“If he doesn’t want to do it any more, I think he should stop.”
Joe Joyce
If he can beat Zhang on April 15, Joyce could be gearing up for a huge heavyweight clash against one of the division’s biggest namesCredit: Getty
Joe Joyce’s stock has never been higher in the heavyweight division.
September’s epic brawl with Joseph Parker saw the formidable New Zealander lose by knockout for the first time in his career.
Suddenly Joyce’s reputation rose to such an extent that he was even called out by Tyson Fury during one of his rambling social media videos.
Now 37 and with a 15-0 professional record, Joyce’s team will likely not think twice about accepting a bout with a name as big as AJ. While Joshua may deem the Juggernaut a more realistic and exciting opponent than either Fury or Whyte.
First things first, Joyce has to get past Zhilei Zhang later this month.
Filip Hrgovic
Filip Hrgovic has a 15-0 record but Joshua would be by far his most high-profile opponentCredit: Getty
Filip Hrgovic might not be the first boxer who comes to mind when fight fans dream up Joshua’s next opponent.
But he may be the most realistic, with the Croatian putting himself in a good position in the IBF rankings after last year’s win over Zhang.
Hrgovic was at one point set to have mandatory fights against Usyk and against Andy Ruiz Jr but both have been seemingly put on the back-burner.
But now it could be a mandatory fight against Joshua up next for the unbeaten boxer, depending on rankings and decision-making from the IBF.
Hrgovic would be seeking to defend his interim IBF title and could pose a serious threat to the Brit.
Deontay Wilder
Wilder beat Robert Helenius in the first round last year as he bounced back from back-to-back Fury defeatsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Few would complain about a mouthwatering clash between AJ and Wilder.
The parallels between the pair are obvious with Joshua and the Bronze Bomber once the kings of the heavyweight division.
But Wilder was beaten twice over the course of three extraordinary fights with Fury, while Joshua could not overcome streetwise Usyk despite his best efforts across two bouts.
Read More on The Sun
Both have shown interest in making the fight happen and it would almost certainly attract huge audiences across sides of the pond.
And with both heavyweights entertaining heavy-hitters it is likely their clash would be among the best fights of the year. More

EBANIE BRIDGES and Maya Jama posed with the glamorous Anthony Joshua ring girls at the O2 Arena.And a host of Premier League aces were in attendance for the heavyweight showdown last night.
Ring girl Chloe Ellman-Baker got a photo with Ebanie BridgesCredit: Supplied
Maya Jama also posed for a pic at the O2Credit: Supplied
Maya stunned in her incredible denim outfitCredit: https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1642272369640194049
Bukayo Saka looked relaxed in his black jacket and capCredit: DAZN
Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin via a unanimous points decisionCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Joshua slugged through 12 rounds to eventually get the better of American Jermaine Franklin.
The British star, 33, secured a 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 unanimous points victory.
And he was cheered on by a host of famous faces on the bank of the River Thames.
OnlyFans star turn boxer Bridges took her place in the 19,000-strong crowd while TV presenter and radio DJ Jama also headed along.
READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA
The pair both got photos with ring girl Chloe Ellman-Baker, who followed in the footsteps of her mum.
Chloe was joined by her fellow ring girls Tehia Kristian, Alissa King-Underwood and Megan Christie for their big night.
Bukayo Saka headed up a star-studded list of footballers who watched AJ do enough to win.
The Arsenal winger was left out of the starting line-up for the 4-1 win over Leeds, thought to be due to illness.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
However, he came on for the last half an hour at the Emirates and then made the short trip across the capital for fight night.
Wilfried Zaha limped off in tears for Crystal Palace just before half-time against Leicester.
But despite fears that could have been his final Eagles appearance, he also headed along – as did Alex Iwobi whose Everton side face Tottenham on Monday night.
And pop star Liam Payne was all smiles with Eddie Hearn ringside ahead of the main event.
In the ring, AJ did not look back at his convincing best after two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
He threw 50 fewer punches than Franklin – but crucially landed double the number of his ex-roofer rival.
Arguably the most exciting part of the fight came AFTER the final bell.
The two men had to be separated by security as they refused to let go of each other after X-rated verbals at the end of the first.
Liam Payne posed alongside Eddie Hearn before the main eventCredit: https://twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing/status/1642260683789066240/photo/1
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha made the trip across the capital from Selhurst ParkCredit: https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1642270694670049282/photo/1
Alex Iwobi was in the crowd in LondonCredit: https://twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing/status/1642270107781980163
Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: “That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
“I apologise to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
“I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
“When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over.”
The Watford star then called out Tyson Fury for a summer showdown.
Read More on The Sun
He said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
Tehia Kristian, Alissa King-Underwood, Chloe and Megan Christie were all smilesCredit: Supplied
The quartet helped put on a show for the fansCredit: Mark Robinson Photography/ Matchroom boxing
The ring girls had an amazing nightCredit: Supplied
The Matchroom team enjoyed promoting the AJ fightCredit: Supplied
Chloe’s mum was also a ring girlCredit: Supplied More

ANTHONY JOSHUA apologised for this part in his post-fight brawl with Jermaine Franklin. AJ and Franklin were involved in a heated bust-up immediately following their heavyweight clash.
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin were involved in a heated bust-up after their fightCredit: Rex
Tempers flared in both corners as security separated themCredit: Rex
Franklin had taken issue after Joshua reached his arm out to pat him on the head.
The pair then got into a hugging match with tempers beginning to escalate before they were pulled apart by security.
Joshua later apologised for his role in the ugly scenes, also referencing his tantrum following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
He said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic. I’m calm, I appreciate everyone coming out this evening,
READ MORE IN BOXING
“Inside the ring, it is a different energy so I apologise to those watching.
“I respect Jermaine, Eddie [Hearn], thank you for this opportunity. Fans, thank you as well.
“It was important to win. Jermaine has a good duck-and-dive style, somebody else from Britain will probably knock him out, respect to him, he did well.
“I should have knocked him out but it is done. On to the next.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
“He is here to prove himself, not roll over. I wish I could have knocked him out.”
AJ won the fight thanks to a unanimous points victory.
In terms of his next fight, Joshua has called out champion Tyson Fury for a hotly-anticipated Battle of Britain.
The 33-year-old had asked the 19,000-strong O2 Arena crowd who they wanted to see him face next, with the crowd chanting “Fury” as one.
To this, he responded: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.” More

JERMAINE FRANKLIN threw more punches than Anthony Joshua.But the Brit was more effective with his own to secure victory.
Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin to get back to winning waysCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

AJ, 33, got dragged all the way to the end of 12 rounds at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.
But by the time the final bell sounded, the former world champion had just about done enough.
He eventually secured a 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 unanimous points victory.
And that was largely thanks to being more clinical with his shots than his ex-roofer opponent.
READ MORE ON ANTHONY JOSHUA
CompuBox stats show Joshua threw a total of 376 punches – a whopping 50 fewer than Franklin’s 426.
However, he landed 31 per cent of those to connect with the American 117 times.
Franklin, though, only managed to hit Joshua 58 times – almost exactly half as many.
AJ threw more punches in just two of the 12 rounds – in the ninth and the 12th.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
He was able to land double figures in half of the rounds.
But Franklin only managed that feat just ONCE in the sixth.
In rounds five and 12, the 29-year-old landed TWO punches in three minutes.
Arguably the most exciting part of the fight came AFTER the final bell.
The two men had to be separated by security as they refused to let go of each other after X-rated verbals at the end of the first.
‘BALL IN FURY’S COURT’
Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: “That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
“I apologise to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
“I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
“When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over.”
The Watford star then called out Tyson Fury for a summer showdown.
Read More on The Sun
He said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.”
Franklin threw 50 more punches but landed half as manyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Anthony Joshua eventually won it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 on the judges’ scorecardsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ANTHONY JOSHUA called out Tyson Fury to fight him in the summer after listening to the demands of a packed O2 last night. Following his unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin, AJ asked the 19,000 fans in the Docklands arena who they wanted to see him fight next.
Anthony Joshua called out Tyson Fury for a summer showdownCredit: Alamy
WBC king Fury saw previous talks with AJ collapseCredit: Getty
AJ landed plenty of right hands but could not deliver a killer blow last night
In one loud voice, the crowd chanted “Fury”.
Upon hearing the plea, Joshua called out the Gypsy King to finally agree to a long-awaited Battle of Britain.
The 33-year-old former champ said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Fury recently saw talks for a unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk fall through.
The Ukrainian’s promoter blasted Fury’s terms as “absolutely unacceptable”, despite Usyk accepting a 70-30 split.
Most read in Boxing
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Fury also saw talks with Joshua breakdown last year, but now AJ has laid down the gauntlet once again.
AJ’s fight against Franklin ended in chaos as the pair got into a fracas and needed to be pulled apart by security.
Joshua and Franklin nearly traded ADDITIONAL BLOWS after the final bell after more heated trash talk.
Members of Franklin’s team jumped in and stopped their man from starting a mass brawl.
But thankfully it was cooled and the judges scored it: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 for a unanimously underwhelming win.
Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: “That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
“I apologise to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
Read More on The Sun

“I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
“When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over.”
Things were bad-tempered after the final bell
Both men had to be held back from trading blows after the bell More